There are still a few residents of Lake Zurich who remember the Palatine, Lake Zurich and Wauconda Railroad. Irene Landsinger remembers riding the train often to visit her grandmother in Wauconda, or to go to the doctor in Palatine. After 86 years, many of her memories inspire giggles. She and her friend were often the only ones in the cab! The times that she rode were thankfully not the times that the passengers had to push the train, but there were many family jokes about the Palatine, Lake Zurich and Walk Railroad.

At 95 years of age, Lee Berghorn also remembers the little railroad. The right-of-way crossed right behind his house on their farm. His father was given railroad bonds in return for the use of the property, which were worthless. For Lee, the building of the railroad was very exciting. He remembers the mules and wagons and steam shovels that paved the way for the rails to be laid.

After the railroad was up and running he remembers the excitement when trains would jump the track, due to the use of secondhand rails and cars. His family still has photographs of the cars tipped over behind the farm buildings. He also remembers how the teachers at the school in the Ela Town Hall would let all the kids look out the windows and watch the trains cross the trestle at the EJ&E tracks in downtown Lake Zurich.